We waited for you
To come and join us on the lawn
The tea cooling in the pot
And David said he thought he’d seen you
Not long before we came out
Climbing the back stair-case
And mother made some conversation
About the wayward rambling roses
Near the dining-room windows
Causing dark shadows
And tapping on the glass
They needed cutting back
And she would speak to Jenson
When next she saw him
Then David called out that he’d seen you
And we turned and looked up
And spotted you high above the gallery
Walking towards the round tower
The white flashes of your dress
Between the crenellations
Of sandy-coloured stone
And we waved hello
The house was looking at its best
The growth of ivy softening the harsher edges
And we admired the summer blooms
The grass springy under our feet
And we called out to you
While David talked about the wedding
Busy with arrangements
His face shining with happiness
We must have seemed quite small
Like children or puppets to you
Within the grand setting
As you regarded us from your vantage-point
High up there upon the parapet
Staring down at us from above
And the breeze just caught your hair
Your eyes calm and steady
Taking in the view
Your face composed
Your arms held aloft
At the very moment
When we all looked up again
And watched you step out
Into thin air
Copyright Andy Fawthrop 2012
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